Circuit-controlling device for watchmen s time-recorders



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. W. PE'NNELL.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR WATOHMENS TIME REGORDERS. No. 888,293. Patented Mar. 23, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LLOYD W. PENNELL, OF BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE TAEBOX TIME REGISTER COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR WATCHMENS TIME=RECORDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,293, dated March 23, 1886.

Serial No. 172,507.

No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LLOYD W. PENNELL, of Braintree, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Circuit-Controlling Devices for Vatchmens Time-Detectors, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to a watchmans timedetector of that class in which a record is made bythe watchman operating a circuit-closer at the different stations under his care, and has for its object to provide the said detector with a circuit-controlling device, which is simplein construction and most efficient in operation, thereby insuring a surerand more reliable coir tact between the members of the said circuitcontrolling device than has been obtained heretofore in instruments of this class.

In accordance with I my invention I have mounted a disk of insulating material upon a metallic shaft having bearings in suitable standards, the shaft being electrically connected through the standards with the usual magnet, which operatesthe marker or recording device in a manner substantially as described in United States applications Serial No. 162,128, dated April 13, 1885, and No.

0 162,102, dated April 13, 1885.

Instead of the cylindrical drum and shaft of the circuit-controlling device shown in the said applications, I have provided a disk with metallic studs, which are distributed at equal dis- 5 tances apart over its surface and preferably near its circumference, the number of the said studs corresponding to the number of stations to be controlled by the detector. The studs referred to extend through the said disk, and

the shank of each stud is connected by a wire with one terminal of a normally-open circuitcloser situated at each of the different'stations to be visited by the watchman. The said studs are preferably provided with flat heads,which 4 5 are brushed over in rotation by a metallic brush or arm, thereby obtaining a rubbing contact between the said brush and stud, and the said brush or arm is connected to a metallic shaft in any suitable or convenientmanner,

and revolves with it when the said shaft is rethe said studs.

volved by pallets engaging a toothed wheel on the said shaft in a manner substantially as described in the applications referred to.

Figure 1 is a diagram of a watchmans ti medetector embodying my invention, itillustrating the connection between the difierent stations and my improved circuit-controlling device. Eig. 2 is aside elevation of the detector, showing my improved circuit-controlling device; and Fig. 3 is a detail to be referred to.

The plate A, gear 0 beam 0 rotating shaft 0, and marker 1), rotating thereon, pinion 0, meshing with the gear 6-, arbor d, rotated by the clock-work d, sleeve (2 upright d, yoke (2 magnet f, armature-lever 6, spring g. pallets m, and toothed wheel a are all substantially the same as described in United States applications, Serial No. 162,128, dated April 13, 1885, and No. 162,102, dated April]3.1885, the operation of the parts enumerated being the same as described in the said applications and not herein claimed.

To enable the time-detector to be operated by currents of varying strength, which variation might arise from numerous causessuch as the weakening of the battery or extra resistance being thrown into the circuits I have provided the said detector with a small shaft,

k, having bearings in uprights or standards 6 6, provided with arms 9 9, by which they are secured to the plate A of the detector, and to the said shaft is secured the toothed wheel a, which co-operates with the pallets m. Abrush or arm, 5, preferably brass, is mounted upon andrevolves with theshaftlr. Concentric with the said shaft, and secured to one of the standards 6 in any suitable manner, is a disk, D, of insulating material, the said disk being provided with metallic studs or pins t, which are distributed over its surface and preferably go near its circumference, the same being in the path of revolution of the brush orarm 5. The studs are preferably provided with flattened heads, with which the brush or arm 5 makes .a rubbing contact as it sweeps over them,

thereby insuring good electrical connection between the said arm and studs and preventing any increase of resistance in the circuits which might arise from the accumulation of dust on The number of stations to be controlled by one time detector corresponds to the number of studs on the disk D, the said number being herein shown as twelve.

I have shown in Fig. 1 the studs 1 to 12*, inclusive, the said studs being clearly shown in Fig. 2 as connected by wires a with the bindingposts 1 2 3 850., each of the said posts being connected by one of the wires 11 n to one terminal of a normally-open circuit closer, r, at each station, the other terminal of the said circuit-closer being connected by the wire a with one pole of the battery B, the other pole being connected to the binding-post o by the terminal wire 15 of themagnetf, the other terminal wire, 16, being connectediu any suitable manner with one of the metal arms 9.

To explain the operation of my improved I timedetector, I have shown the circuit of station 2 as closed, the arm or brush 5 being in contact with the flattened head of the stud marked 2 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. it being supposed that the watchman is making his record from the said station. With the operating parts in the positions shown, the current will pass from the positive pole of the battery B, by wire a, to station 2; from station 2, by wire 17?, to the binding-post 2"; from the said binding-post, by wire n, to the stud 2*; from the said stud, by the arm 5, shaft k, arm 9 of the upright 6, and wire 16, through the magnetf; from the said magnet, by wire 15, to the binding-post 0, and thence back, by wire 15, to the negative pole of the battery B. Asthe current passes through the magnet f it magnetizes the same, which attracts its armature and operates the marker in the manner described in the applications above mentioned. By the magnet f attracting its armature the shaft k and arm or brush 5 are rotated the space of one tooth of the wheel a, thereby placing the said arm in connection with that one of the studs t marked 3*, so that the next station from whence a record can be made is station 3.

By employing a revolving contact brush or arm, 5, and a stationary insulating-disk provided with contact-pieces I obtain a circuitcontrolling device easy in operation and reliablein the performance of its work.

In the drawings I have designated the stations 1 to 12, inclusive, and Ihave designated the studs t, which are in circuit with the said stations, as 1 to 12*, inclusive.

I claim In a watchmans time detector, a clock or motor and a recording device operated by the Watchman at different or distantstations, combined with a circuit-controlling device consisting of a metallic arm or brush rotated by a shaft and a disk of insulating material provided with studs or pins co operating with the said arm or brush, to operate substantially as LLOYD W. PENNELL.

Witnesses:

J AS. H. CHURCHILL, G. W. GREGORY. 

